Probe, not dismiss 'sexual abuse' claims

Sarawak PKR Wanita has called on state authorities to work together with NGOs to probe allegations of Penan women being sexually abused.

The wing urged the authorities not to target the NGOs and dismiss the allegations as lies without a full investigation.

The state authorities should not always be in a denial mode, said newly-appointed state PKR wanita chief Ibi ak Uding in a statement today.

"If the state authorities continue to dismiss the allegation as nothing more than lies, it is a disrespect for women," she said, adding that in this particular case there are already two known victims who are being provided care by a shelter home in Kuala Lumpur.

The Sarawak Women for Women (SWWS) organisation has also urged the authorities to be pro-active and launch a thorough investigation.

The allegations gained international attention recently after the Basel-based Bruno Mansel Fund(BMF) issued a press statement on the alleged sexual abuses of young Penan women at the hands of timber workers.

Ibi disagreed with the Sarawak government’s claim that the logging industry always brings benefits to the people, including the Penan.

"In this particular case, it doesn't seem to be the case," she noted.

Zero tolerance
On the contrary, she said, what has happened in Sarawak is that land development projects and logging in the vicinity of rural settlements of the various native communities have witnessed what she claimed to be the systematic abuses of women and children owing to their apparent vulnerability.

She added that the issue of power relationship should be a serious concern to the state authorities but unfortunately such issues are often sidestepped and brushed aside on the excuse that such allegations are brought up by NGOs.

"We seriously advocate zero tolerance for any form of sexual abuse and manipulation and violence and we urge the state authorities to seriously look into the matter and carry out a full investigation instead of dismissing the allegations as lies.

"Rape and sexual abuses are forms of sexual exploitation, these are very serious crimes and crimes against humanity," she added.

She called on state and federal authorities to work together with the NGOs to facilitate investigations into the allegations and hoped that the truth would prevail as soon as possible.

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